Smooth was among the most
fortunate, having succeeded in fettering himself to a Kentucky
_belle_. Down a long, circular stairway, the procession proceeded,
inspirited by sweet music, and soon reached a spacious hall, set out
with tables stretching along its whole length, and bedecked with the
choicest viands, delicately overlaid with fresh-plucked flowers,
impregnating the very air with their delicious odors. Indeed they
looked more like beds of bright flowers trellised with silver and
gold. A din of confused voices resounded throughout the hall as all
took seats who could, while not a few added to the confusion by
appropriating to themselves the seats of others. Mr. Smooth, being a
man of the world, and Mr. Pierce's minister extraordinary, took the
best seat he could find, and made himself quite at home. Opposite him
loomed out the hard, knotty face of Sir James Muke, who, suffering
under the most painful grievance of having been deprived of his seat,
so generously provided in a space to the right of the chairman, let
loose some very unfashionable and badly moulded oaths.
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